|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ganguly rates knock as one of his best |
|
|
Saurav Ganguly said his 87
on Saturday was one of his best knocks and was hopeful
it would lead India to victory against South Africa in
the third and final test to square the series.
Ganguly top-scored on a deteriorating pitch to give
India a 23-run first innings lead on the second day
after the hosts reached 288 for nine at stumps.
"It is one of the best knocks I have played considering
the surface, it is one of my top test knocks," the
35-year-old former skipper told reporters.
Ganguly was disappointed to miss his 16th test century
after he was out at the same score for the second
successive innings, holing out fast bowler Dale Steyn to
deep cover to be the ninth wicket to fall.
He also top-scored in the second innings of the previous
test in Ahmedabad last week which South Africa won by an
innings and 90 runs to take a 1-0 series lead.
His crucial partnerships lifted the innings on a pitch
where some deliveries exploded from the cracks.
"On this surface you never know what is going to
happen," he said. "If the spinners bowl well and we get
early wickets, we can bowl them out below 150."
Ganguly hoped the last wicket pair of Shanthakumaran
Sreesanth and Ishant Sharma could somehow click.
MAGIC TOMORROW
"If Sree and Ishant can do some magic tomorrow it will
be great," he said. "We should somehow get to a 50-run
lead and pick up two wickets before they get to 50."
South Africa coach Mickey Arthur said even a small total
would be tough to chase for India in the fourth innings.
"There is always something happening on the wicket," he
said. "It is a day five wicket on day two, not ideal for
test cricket."
He praised his players for claiming five wickets in the
final session to prevent India from taking a big lead.
"A lead of 20 runs is not that significant but we can't
let it get to 40 or 50," he said. "We must wrap it up
and bat really well.
"Any total over 150 or 160 will be tough to chase."
He said South Africa would also have prepared a pitch
that favoured them if they trailed in a home series like
India do.
"In a funny sort of way, a wicket like this will provide
a very exciting result." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Cricket Forum | Disclaimer |
Privacy Policy |
Feedback |
Contact
Us |
|
Copyright © 2003
Cricket-Records.com. All Rights Reserved. Designed & Developed
by Deodutta Mahajan
This site is best
viewed with Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher; Firefox 2.0 or higher
at a minimum screen resolution of 1024x768
|
